"God willing, this will be a happy year, better than the past years by His grace," President El-Sisi remarked, adding, "I monitor all matters and observe all reactions. Concern may be justified, and it’s important to understand that,” he said as he paid a quick visit to the cathedral.

“I’m not just addressing you but the entire world, inside and outside Egypt through," he added.

Acknowledging the concerns of many, El-Sisi said that they may be justified and even natural.

“Over the past years, there were reasons for worry. But God willing, things will pass peacefully. Here in Egypt, we do many things that people may not always notice. First and foremost, we never forget that God is with us," he asserted.

The president underscored the dual importance of faith and responsibility. "This doesn’t mean that we as Egyptians don’t take all necessary measures to protect our country. Our first line of protection is our love for one another," he said.

During his short speech, El-Sisi praised Pope Tawdros II saying that “he appreciated him and prayed to God to protect him.” 

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark led the Christmas mass that started Monday evening at the Cathedral of Nativity of Christ in the New Administrative Capital (NAC).

Several top state officials, ministers, representatives of Azhar, governors, MPs, and public figures are scheduled to attend the event that kicked off at 7PM Cairo local time.

Earlier, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi extended his heartfelt greetings to Egypt’s Coptic Christian community on Christmas in a message on social media networks, underscoring the values of unity and coexistence that define the nation’s identity.

In an official statement, President El-Sisi said: "It gives me great pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on the occasion of the blessed Christmas." He highlighted the shared celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as a testament to Egypt's enduring principles of tolerance, brotherhood, and national unity.

He further underscored that these values have long been "an integral part of our nation's history and a genuine hallmark of the Egyptian character."

He affirmed that Egypt would remain "a beacon of coexistence, unity, and love among its people of all religions, under the honour of belonging to this cherished homeland."

President El-Sisi concluded his message by wishing the Coptic community a joyful holiday season and prayed for continued blessings and prosperity for Egypt, saying: "I pray to God Almighty that this celebration brings you and our beloved Egypt even more goodness, blessings, and prosperity."

On Tuesday, Pope Tawadros II is scheduled to receive many well-wishers from top state officials, bishops, and priests at the papal headquarters in Anba Ruwais in Cairo's Abassiya district.

Over the past few days, Pope Tawadros II has received Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, several ministers, top state officials, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb, and Grand Mufti Nazih Iyad at the papal headquarters to offer Christmas greetings.

The Cathedral of Christ's Nativity is the largest in the Middle East, accommodating 8,200 individuals.

Pope Tawadros II led the first-ever mass at the cathedral in 2018, attended by the Egyptian president before it was officially inaugurated in January 2019.

Located south of Central Park in the NAC, the cathedral covers 15 acres and includes a 60-metre-high tower.

Coptic Orthodox Egyptians, who make up 90 percent of the country’s Christian population, celebrate Christmas on 7 January, according to the Julian Calendar.

According to the Gregorian Calendar, small Egyptian Christian denominations – such as Catholics and Evangelicals – celebrate Christmas on 25 December.

Coptic Christmas was declared a public holiday in Egypt in 2003.